“I have to go on trial?” Grady blurted out.
“Not usually for what you’re being charged with, because we’ll work out a plea deal, but setting a date is a formality. Did your parents talk about treatment?”
Grady nodded.
“And you’re going to agree to enter rehab?”
He glanced at Rennie, and for a moment, she thought he was going to tell her no. He nodded slowly but seemed to lack the enthusiasm she sought. “Grady, it’s rehab or jail.”
“Or death,” he countered.
“Yes, there is that.”
Their conversation ceased when the door opened, and Officers Hook and Frey sauntered in. They tipped their hats toward Rennie and stood on either side of Grady’s bed. They stated Grady’s Miranda rights, asked if he had any questions. When he told them no, they said they would be by tomorrow to take him to court. Once they left, Rennie invited the Chamberlains back into the room.
“It’s over?” Johanna asked.
“Only until tomorrow,” Rennie said. “The officers will be back in the morning to take Grady to court for his arraignment. We’ll meet there. It’ll be quick, and then he’ll be transported to rehab. The center will allow you a few minutes to say goodbye.”
“So, I can’t see my son whenever I want?” George asked.
“Not whenever, no. There is special visitation each week for family members and family counseling. I suggest, for Grady’s sake, everyone takes part. I think we’re in a unique situation where people still hurt from what happened all those years ago.”
“We don’t need family counseling,” George blurted out. “I’m not going to let some shrink tell me how to raise my boys.”
Rennie glanced at Johanna, who looked embarrassed, then over at Graham, who hung his head. The family dynamic with the Chamberlains was odd. Johanna wanted her son to get all the help he could, Graham wanted his brother and his life back, and George refused to believe there was anything wrong with his kid. And Rennie was in the thick of it, trying to do right by all parties involved.
Rennie excused herself and left the family to talk. She was tired and in need of a nap and suddenly eager to get to the hotel Ester booked for her. In the parking lot, she turned at the sound of her name. Graham jogged toward her and didn’t stop until he had her cocooned in his arms.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
“I’m just doing my job.” She knew she was going above and beyond, but the idea of not helping Graham or putting Grady’s fate into someone else’s hands never crossed her mind.
Graham held her tightly. She could hear and feel his heart pounding and smell the sandalwood in his cologne. He also smelled like the beach, which, to her, meant warmth and sun. Rennie inhaled deeply, needing to remember the moment.
“I should really go,” she said, motioning toward her car. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
He stepped away from her and nodded. Tempted as she was to ask about his accommodations for the evening, she held back. Rennie needed to put some distance between herself and Graham. It would be best for both of them.
The next morning, Rennie rose with purpose. She called for room service and sat at the small round table in her hotel room, going over her notes. It wasn’t necessary, as an arraignment took minutes. However, she would be prepared for anything that came her way. The only other time she had gone to an arraignment was back when she clerked. She had entered a plea, agreed with the restitution set, walked out, and switched to family court.
Her phone rang, and she smiled at the sight of Theo’s picture lighting up her display. “Well, hello,” she sang into the receiver.
“You’re chipper this morning. I love hearing the confidence in your voice.” Nights prior, they had sat on the phone, and she told him how her research into criminal law had sparked something in her, how it had brought to life the idea of opening her own firm and becoming a general practitioner. She wanted to help everyone or at least be selective in the cases she took. Family law was still her passion, but she liked the idea of helping in other areas.
“I am confident, Theo. I know it’s silly because it’s a preliminary hearing, but there’s this thrill. I don’t know—I’m excited to stand in front of the judge and enter a plea for my client.”
“I get it, my love. There is nothing more satisfying than telling a client their books are exactly where they need to be, that no one is stealing from them.”
Rennie chuckled at the thoughts that rolled around in her head. “You know, we could open a firm. I could take to trial the people who embezzle from your clients.”
“I like the way you think, Ms. Wallace.”
“Why, thank you, Mr. Wright. I do believe we could make a powerful team.”